News Article

10/6/2009

Brazilian Visa Notification


The Brazilian Consulate in Los Angeles, in response to recent visa processing delays, has confirmed special procedures to process visas for Princess Cruises passengers scheduled to sail on upcoming South America voyages.

These special procedures only affect passengers residing in the states of Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and in the California counties of Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura.

The Brazilian Consulate strongly encourages all passengers to obtain their visas through a visa service company in order to minimize work for the consulate and to have their visa requests processed in a timely manner.

We recommend that you contact Zierer Visa Service (ZVS). ZVS has been approved by the Brazilian Consulate and their contact information and instructions are found below.

The Brazilian Consulate has agreed to process visas in order of the sailing date, however be aware that this may take up to three weeks once documents are submitted. Therefore please submit your application as soon as possible.

If You Process with Zierer Visa Service (ZVS):
Passengers should access the visa kit and follow the instructions to submit the Brazilian visa application and the ZVS order form through the special link for Princess Cruises passengers on the Zierer website below:

http://www.zvs.com/home.aspx?Login=75009

Passengers who have already completed online applications must also complete the attached paper forms that are included in the ZVS visa kits. This is a new consular requirement for cruise passengers obtaining visas through the Consulate of Brazil in Los Angeles.

If You Process Directly with the Brazilian Consulate in Los Angeles
Passengers not using Zierer Visa Service to process their visa directly may follow the steps below:
1. Go online at http://www.brazilian-consulate.org/files.php?id=82 and fill out a Brazilian visa application at which time you will be granted an appointment for your in-person interview.
2. Download the Brazilian Visa Application form found on the ZVS website by visiting http://www.zvs.com/home.aspx?Login=75009. Enter cruise details to download the visa kit. The application form is located within the kit.
3. Fill out the application form and bring it to the Consulate of Brazil in Los Angeles during the hours of 9 am - 12 pm Monday though Friday to apply in person.
4. Passengers applying for their visa in person must bring a postal money order (one per person) payable to the Consulate of Brazil in the amount of $130 USD. The money order must be issued by the U.S. Postal Service. Cash, check and credit card will not be accepted.
5. Each individual must apply in person with their completed documentation and postal money order.

Important Reminders for All Passengers Applying for a Brazilian Visa
The Brazilian Embassy advises that you will be required to present:

If travel includes a visit to a yellow fever endemic area, an original vaccination certificate is required

This information is being provided as general guidance only. Please be reminded that it is the responsibility of each passenger to obtain their required travel documentation, including passport and visas, for all countries you will visit and to determine or verify the actual requirements at the time of sailing. Passengers without the proper documentation for these cruises will be denied boarding.

Requirements regarding travel documents are imposed by the governments of the countries we visit and, unfortunately, Princess Cruises is not able to waive these regulations for our valued passengers.